Weekend Update: Nathan Ake faces setback; Liam Roberts suspended for six matches
Manchester City has suffered another setback as defender Nathan Ake faces a long spell on the sidelines due to a foot injury that required surgery. Ake was substituted in the FA Cup game against Plymouth and later underwent an operation for a fracture, ruling him out for up to 11 weeks.
City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the extent of Ake’s layoff, stating that it’s been a challenging season for the Dutch international due to recurring foot problems. Ake’s injury adds to City’s defensive woes as he joins John Stones and Manuel Akanji, who are also sidelined with thigh and groin injuries, missing significant playing time. Guardiola emphasized the importance of addressing the issues Ake faced and expressed relief that the surgery has been completed to resolve the problem.
Meanwhile, Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has been handed a six-match ban for a reckless challenge on Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta during an FA Cup fixture. Roberts’ high boot led to lacerations on Mateta’s ear, resulting in a harsher penalty than the standard three-match suspension. The Football Association pushed for an extended ban, which an independent regulatory panel granted, leaving Roberts unavailable for six games. Roberts expressed his remorse for the incident and accepted the punishment.
Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, stressed the importance of focusing on the upcoming game against Southampton as a pivotal encounter, urging both players and fans to treat it as a final. Despite upcoming crucial fixtures in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, Slot emphasized the significance of the Southampton match. Slot’s plea resonates with the need for full commitment and support from fans to create a vibrant atmosphere to rally the players for the encounter.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shine on the pitch, scoring his 26th goal of the season and the 926th of his illustrious career during Al-Nassr’s game against Al Shabab. Ronaldo’s goal-scoring prowess remains evident as he netted his 18th Saudi Pro League goal this season. The 40-year-old legend’s exceptional performance underscores his enduring impact and goal-scoring consistency throughout his career.
In other upcoming fixtures, the Premier League resumes with high-stakes matches that include Manchester City taking on Nottingham Forest, Liverpool facing Southampton, and other exciting encounters such as Ipswich against Crystal Palace and Brentford hosting Aston Villa. The football action continues with games across different leagues, adding to the excitement surrounding the sport.